Gregg Marshall says point guard Fred VanVleet (23) could run the Wichita State practice without a problem if the coaches took a day off. / Peter Aiken, USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Prisbell, USA TODAY Sports

ST. LOUIS - Gregg Marshall, the coach of the first unbeaten NCAA tournament team in 23 years, lifts up his cell phone. He smiles because he recently learned how to type his name into a Twitter search to see each and every one of his mentions.

He sees countless compliments but, more importantly, collects all criticisms. He feeds them to his Wichita State players, one barb at a time, as fuel that helps define the collective personality of this historic team.

"Thanks for all those who have helped us along the way," associate head coach Chris Jans said. "But a special thanks to the haters because you have motivated us even more."

During the past month, Wichita State players have fielded countless questions about whether it would be better if they absorbed a loss before the NCAA tournament because it would alleviate some pressure. But the opposite is true for this team.

By remaining undefeated, the Shockers remain polarizing, attracting criticism because of a conference schedule perceived by some as soft. And they use that criticism to remain edgy and angry rather than tight. They're trying to remain the hunters, rather than the hunted, despite likely earning a No. 1 seed this Sunday.

Before the start of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, Marshall answered a question in a news conference about being a so-called "mid-major." Sophomore Ron Baker steamed over the question.

The story of Baker, a sophomore from the small western Kansas town of Scott City, epitomizes the types of winding, sometimes hardscrabble journeys this collection of players have experienced.

His parents drove him 24 miles each way to elementary school. He competed in Wichita State's Elite Camp and attracted the attention of coaches, but the Shockers didn't have a scholarship. Then Jans saw him in the state semifinals and told Marshall that he needed to watch him in the final instead of going elsewhere to watch prospects such as Perry Ellis and others.

"You've got to go," Jans told Marshall.

Marshall did, and after the first quarter he texted Jans to say they've got to find a way to get Baker. Meantime, regional junior college coaches were telling the camp coaches that Baker was not good enough to play at Wichita State because they wanted the versatile player to play for them.

To overcome the scholarship issue, Baker and his family asked the Wichita State staff if they could pay Baker's way for a year, during which he would redshirt, and then be on scholarship the remainder of his college career. Marshall said absolutely.

"Our kids were either overlooked, weren't rated very high, had to go to junior college, transferred," Jans said. "Long roads. And we love it. It works well with our personalities. They have a little chip on their shoulder. They are hungry. Hungry."

'UNFLAPPABLE'

There was Cleanthony Early, who wound up taking one of the longest official visits on record when he visited Wichita State. A storm made it impossible for Early to leave after 48 hours. Wichita State informed compliance of the issue.

Early stayed on campus for more than 72 hours, so long that the staff ran out of things to do with him. What more could coaches talk to him about? How much more food could they eat? But Early credits that lengthy visit as the difference-maker because it allowed him to forge relationships with players and coaches.

Then there was point guard Fred VanVleet. Jans recalls sitting down at a random AAU game to watch a Rockford, Ill.-based team called PrymeTyme. It had no player taller than 6-4, and coaches said it was not even sponsored by a shoe company.

But VanVleet played exactly how he plays now, exhibiting poise and composure. He is a calming influence on teammates. He was the coach on the floor, as the MVC player of the year is this season. Wichita State coaches said they have so much faith in him that he could organize and run practice with precision and efficiency even if the coaches took the day off.

"They are the most unflappable team that I have ever been around in my 25 years," assistant Steve Forbes said. "They play with no emotion, but they are intense. They are a little edgy."

And they are not satisfied. Last spring and summer, after the Shockers narrowly lost to eventual national champion Louisville in the Final Four, the players showed no complacency, only motivation to improve during relentless offseason workouts.

"It was like they drove the Lexus and they didn't want to drive the Camry anymore," Jans said. "They were motivated. Their workouts were off the charts."

Devon Smith, the team's manager of player development, said the players do have egos, but that they suppress them for the betterment of the team. When recruits come in for an official visit, the first thing Marshall does is ask the current players whether they want the recruit as a teammate.

Smith said the players wow him at times in the huddle during timeouts because sometimes they are the ones who are most encouraging and actually trying to keep the coaches positive.

"They all have their own stories," Smith said. "They have all been through different tragedies. ... Tekele Cotton, for any team in this conference, would probably average 16 points. For us, he has to be Ringo Starr. We have some great singers, but he's the best drummer in the world."

NO CINDERELLA

What Marshall found remarkable was what occurred during a recent Sports Illustrated photo shoot. Marshall did not want to pick just one player to appear.

He gathered Baker, Early, VanVleet and Cotton. And he brought out four straws, and the shorter straw would get to do the shoot. The players laughed and said Cotton could do it because they already get so much attention, that Cotton deserved it more.

"Can you believe that?" Marshall said. "That is so rare."

As MVC commissioner Doug Elgin said, "They are unfazed by all this. I've seen these guys walking through hotels with adoring fans cheering them, wanting to engage them. They don't allow themselves to get into the height that they are flying at."

During games, Baker said, the players get the most enjoyment out of seeing teammates thrive. For example, on one sequence, Baker threw himself on the court for a loose ball, tossed it to VanVleet, who skipped it up the court for a dunk.

"We love doing stuff like that - making the guy who dunked it look really good," Baker said. "Plays like that are what this team is about."

But at the heart of this group is a bunch of players who relish proving critics wrong. They recoil at being labeled a mid-major program. And they feel poised for another deep tournament run to show once again that they can beat anyone on a neutral court.

A reporter joked with Baker that critics probably would consider Wichita State a Cinderella team even though it will be a No. 1 seed. How's that glass slipper fit?

Baker laughed and said, "They don't make them in size 14s."

Follow national college basketball reporter Eric Prisbell on Twitter at @EricPrisbell.